Stowe May 6 and 7

[powderfreak]

May 6 - Day 104

Well, we're starting to push it now but Nosedive was still essentially top
to bottom thanks to a ribbon on the skiers right side. Skins go on just
above Crossover and come off at the Toll Road. The only discontinuous spot
on Tuesday was where melt-water from National ate the snowpack from side to
side. Hayride looked like it was covered from side to side on the upper and
middle parts, but large bare spots on the flats made it look like walking
between the skiing. Lord and North Slope were also seeing some traffic so
that might be a viable option.

From the bottom, here's the view of Gondolier...
http://tinyurl.com/3pf54k

Lower Nosedive...ribbon on skiers right keeping it skiable down to Crossover.
http://tinyurl.com/3ovoh5
Melt-out at the bottom of National.
http://tinyurl.com/6bvazs
Mid-section of Nosedive...entering the Shambles area. Its like spring
chute-skiing as you've got about a 10 foot wide swath that runs for several
hundred yards.
http://tinyurl.com/67k5ek

Once above Cliff Trail though, you reach the glacier where the snow is still
several feet thick in the woods and on the trail. There's really no better
way to spend a 70-degree May day.
http://tinyurl.com/6by7js
http://tinyurl.com/6nlxly

The views up top are the same they've been all season (go figure), but one
of my favorite things is watching the seasonal progression throughout the
season.
http://tinyurl.com/4eqbtk
http://tinyurl.com/4u7k56

The trails at Sugarbush still looked very white up top, too.
http://tinyurl.com/69sur4

On the way down, the turns came easily like they have all winter long. The
snow surface was incredibly fun to ski as the corny top layer effortlessly
peeled off the glacial base below.
http://tinyurl.com/4ahr95

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May 7 - Day 105

See report above but add skiers Dave, Joe, Zach, and Callie. This was Joe's
second day at Stowe since an accident a few years ago almost left him
without a leg. Yesterday he hiked and skied Nosedive with only a brace when
two and a half years ago we weren't sure if he'd walk again...and he's still
missing a few ligaments in one leg. Joe's dedication to rehab and skiing is
inspiring.

-Scott

[maineskier69]

Great report and pictures as always.

FIS at Bush looks completely covered still and needs to be skied.

[billski]

do they run the gondi this time of year?